The Black Heroes of Mathematics BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Francis William Thomas Fuller Benjamin Banneker The Black Heroes of Mathematics Elbert Cox Euphemia Lofton Haynes By Dr Nira Chamberlain

THE BLACK HEROES OF MATHEMATICS Francis William THE BLACK HEROES OF MATHEMATICS Thomas Fuller Benjamin Banneker Context “As Black people we have had more than our share of the academically hereditary disaffection all people seem to experience relative to mathematics ….. Nowadays our promising youth are even more menacingly threatened by exposure to teachers…. who have been convinced that Blacks …. are abysmally and irrevocably hopeless as far as mathematics is concerned.” Dr Wade Ellis Sr: 1980 (1909-1989) 10th African-American to gain a PhD in Mathematics Elbert Cox Euphemia Lofton Haynes Our heroes prove that Black people can excel in Mathematics.

Jamaican Mathematician Francis William Francis William: 1702 - 1770 Jamaican Mathematician Thomas Fuller Benjamin Banneker Mathematics Degree -Cambridge University Background Francis Williams was selected to take part in a social experiment devised by the Duke of Montagu who wished to show that black individuals – with the right education – could match the intellectual achievements of whites. Challenge A rival once suggested-”The abstruse problems of mathematical institution turned his brain; and he still remains, I believe, an unfortunate example, to show that every African head is not adapted by nature to such profound contemplations.” Achievements Degree in Mathematics, Latin and Literature from Cambridge University. He returned to Jamaica to set up a school, teaching Mathematics, Latin, Reading and Writing. Elbert Cox Euphemia Lofton Haynes

Slave and Mathematician Thomas Fuller: 1710 - 1790 Francis William Slave and Mathematician Thomas Fuller Benjamin Banneker Extraodinary powers of calculation Background Thomas Fuller , known as the Virginia Calculator, was kidnapped from his native Africa at the age of fourteen and sold to a planter. Challenge He was regularly tested. On being asked, “ How many seconds a man has lived who is 70 years, 17 days and 12 hours old?” He answered in a minute and a half 2 210 500 800. One of his examiners who was using pen and paper, advise him his answer was incorrect! The sum was not so great as he had suggested . Upon which Thomas hastily replied: “Stop, you forget all the leap years! “ On adding the amount of the seconds for the leap years, the total in both their sums agreed exactly. Achievements Later in his life was he was discovered by antislavery campaigners, who used him as a role model to demonstrate that blacks were not mentally inferior to whites. Elbert Cox Euphemia Lofton Haynes

Astronomer and Civil Rights Leader Benjamin Banneker: 1731 - 1806 Francis William Astronomer and Civil Rights Leader Thomas Fuller Benjamin Banneker The sky was not his limit Background Benjamin Banneker was a largely self-educated mathematician, astronomer and first civil rights leader. Challenge He would exchanged letters with the soon to be Third U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, whom had stated that negroes are inferior to whites when it comes to high level of mathematical thinking. Achievements Banneker was the first scientist to study the relativity of time and space, and his revelations on the topic preceded Einstein's Theory of Relativity by two centuries. He successfully predicted the solar eclipse that occurred on April 14, 1789, contradicting the forecasts of prominent mathematicians and astronomers of the day. Banneker was the first to disclose in his writings that the Star of Sirius is two stars rather than one. His hypothesis was not confirmed until the event of the Hubble Telescope two and a half centuries later at NASA. Elbert Cox Euphemia Lofton Haynes

1st Black Mathematics PhD Francis William Elbert Cox : 1895 - 1969 1st Black Mathematics PhD Thomas Fuller Benjamin Banneker The Pioneer Background After fighting for his country in World War I , Elbert Cox, applied for a PhD program. One of his referees wrote “ He would have certain difficulties, because of the fact, he is of the coloured race.” Challenge Universities in England and Germany would not recognise his PhD at the time. However, Japan's Imperial University of San Dei accepted the dissertation. Achievements In 1929, became the first Black Mathematician in the world to gain a PhD in Mathematics. From 1929-1961, he taught at Howard, an Historically Black College and University. Inspiring generations of Black Mathematicians to obtain a PhD. Elbert Cox Euphemia Lofton Haynes

Euphemia Lofton Haynes: 1890 - 1980 Francis William 1st Black Female Mathematics PhD Thomas Fuller Benjamin Banneker The Overcomer Background Euphemia Lofton Haynes faced three obstacles in becoming a PhD mathematician. She was female, she was Black and she was in her 50’s. Challenge In 1940 the Cambridge Mathematician G.H. Hardy, wrote A Mathematician's Apology, one of the most widely read books about the nature and practice of mathematics. It stated: "No mathematician should ever allow himself to forget that mathematics, more than any other art or science, is a young man's game.“ Achievements Three years after Hardy’s book, Euphemia Lofton Haynes completed her PhD in Mathematics. She was living proof that you are never too old and that mathematics is not just for the few, it is for everybody! Elbert Cox Euphemia Lofton Haynes

References: You don’t need anybody’s permission to be Francis William References: Thomas Fuller Benjamin Banneker Beyond Banneker: Black Mathematician and the Path to Excellence , Erica N Walker Mathematician of the African Diaspora http://www.math.buffalo.edu/mad/ Administrators of the Benjamin Banneker Memorial http://www.bannekermemorial.org/ 100 Great Black Britons http://www.100greatblackbritons.com/ MacTutor History of Mathematics archive http://www-history.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/ With thanks to Reverend Canon Eve Pitts Elbert Cox Euphemia Lofton Haynes You don’t need anybody’s permission to be a great mathematician MR Sylvester Chamberlain’s advice to his young 17 year old son- Nira chamberlain.